From life you stepped,
your cancer-sieged body
no longer a home.
We were standing near
close to life’s questions,
close to you, your courage
your humour,
your memories,
so present,
knowing the time
would soon be here.
When your hour came
you bid the white flag to rise
to penetrate flesh,
releasing breath
from all painful fight.
You who survived war,
hid in marshes,
saved children from slaughter,
sailed schooners on rivers across the sea,
surrendered in different times —
forever brave while poppies weep.
~
©️2018 Ontheland
